Though this version of the Hyper Speed is no longer produced, there is still a limited supply available. If you can find a pair of these to try on, they are a great a comfortable, lightweight racing shoe. The Magicsole, the Rearfoot Gel Cushioning System, and Asics High Abrasion Rubber are all found in the outsole to enhance support, responsiveness, and breathability. The perforated sockliner and the SpEVA technologies found in the midsole, help make this shoe a comfortable ride.

Editor's Pros & Cons

Pros

Durable and long-lasting

Good breathability

Lightweight

Comfortable and roomy

Cons

Loose gravel may enter from the outsoles if you take these off track

Thin tongue leads to discomfort

Not as lightweight as previous models

The rubber sole wears down faster than other racing shoes.

Outsole

Outsole

The multi-faceted outsole supports your feet and adds comfort. Typical of the Hyper Speeds, Asics uses its High Abrasion Rubber (AHAR) to improve traction and minimize wear along the heel. This technology makes the shoe durable and long lasting. The Rearfoot Gel in the heel is made of a silicone which will cushion your heel upon impact and has excellent responsive properties. The second technology is WetGrip which improves traction and gives the bottom of the shoe a great geometrical aesthetic.

Midsole

Midsole

Responsiveness, comfort, and breathability are key for the midsole of the Hyper Speed 5. Asics has included their EVA Midsole, which creates a bounce-back responsiveness as your foot impacts the ground. The SpEVA also protects the shoe itself from wear and tear. There is a perforated sockliner in the midsole that sits just under the foot that is removable. The sockliner offers breathability and comfort to your foot.

Upper

Upper

The material of the upper helps your foot stay in place. The synthetic material is constructed before being attached to the midsole. The upper fits like the older version of the Hyper Speed but loses a good 2 ounces in weight with the new construction of the Hyper Speed 5. This is a recurring trend as Asics continued to release newer versions of the Hyper Speed. Each version becomes more and more lightweight as well as form-fitting, thanks to the improved construction of the upper materials.

Weight

Weight

These shoes weigh 7 oz. Not as lightweight as the next version, the Hyper Speed 6. The comfort of this shoe adds to the difference in weight. The construction of the mesh uppers balances out any weight found in the soles of the shoe. These shoes are high-speed racing shoe that is more lightweight than your average running shoe.

Breathability

Breathability

If you are used to running in humid climates or your feet are prone to overheating while running, the Hyper Speed 5 is a great option. This shoe allows for maximum breathability from every direction you can attack it. The Magic Sole, with its holes in the rubber of the outsole, let air flow freely from the bottom. While the mesh uppers are consistent in keeping the foot aired out from the top. These two technologies work in tandem to cycle the air around every part of your foot while you run.

Comfort

Comfort

The toe box is roomy without letting your foot shift out of place. The heel of the shoe has two components of comfort: the technology of the Rearfoot gel softening your impact and the fit of the heel is quite snug without much rub. The SpEVA midsole is cushioned for your added comfort. One complaint about comfort with this shoe is how thin the tongue is and the fact that certain laces can be felt through the tongue material.

Style

Style

3M Scotchlite is a visible reflector on the outside of the shoe that allows you to run safely at night.

Durability

Durability

The Rearfoot Gel not only adds comfort to the shoe but helps enhance durability as the shock is absorbed by the technology as you land your foot to the ground. Some say that the rubber sole tends to wear down faster than other high-speed racing shoes, a feature that was fixed in the long-lasting Hyper Speed 6. The AHAR is built to be long-lasting.

Protection

Protection

Protection is given to these shoes by the Asics Gel Cushioning System in the heel portion of the foot. The silicone material absorbs shock and protects the heel of the foot from the impact of your stride. The AHAR technology helps enforce the shoe from breaking down quickly each time you race in the shoe.

Responsiveness

Responsiveness

The gel in the Asics Gel Hyperspeed 5 shoes gives your stride bounce as you set your foot down to lift it right back off the ground. This high-level of responsiveness leads to a faster rate. The midsole and the fit of the toe box keep your foot right where you leave it in your shoe, making your stride consistent with every step.

Support

Support

Between barefoot and midfoot striking. The comfort level of these shoes will allow you to change up where you strike the foot, ranging from midfoot to the balls of your feet. The perforated sockliner can be removed from the shoe for those who make no use of it, but it will offer orthotic support to those in need. As mentioned above, the fit of the heel cup holds your foot with a gentle support. The forefoot has a wider box for support while maintaining a flexible fit for speed racing. While being a flexible racing trainer, the Hyperspeed 5 has enough support to improve torsional rigidity.

Terrain

Terrain

As racing trainers, these shoes do outstandingly well on road and track terrains. If you take them offroad, the holes in the magic outsoles will let in little rocks. Considering these shoes are made for only two terrains, you have been sufficiently warned for any use, other than what these trainers were built for.

Price

Price

The Asics Gel Hyperspeed 5 is not a pricey shoe. It is under $100, and for the type of racing and training you will accomplish with this shoe it is priced to your advantage. All of the Hyperspeed racing shoe lines are within the same price range, and each has it’s own unique components within their build to give you a catered fit and performance.

Traction

Traction

WetGrip outsole and the AHAR technology are the shining elements of the Hyperspeed 5 when it comes to traction. While you will be using this shoe to race on only roads and tracks, the outsole of this shoe will allow for your performance to exceed your expectations under any weather conditions. That geometrical pattern mentioned above will help your foot stay in the exact place that you need it to be, under your body for a solid stride through your race.

Flexibility

Flexibility

The Hyperspeed 5 is more of a stiff racing shoe. As mentioned above, the support this shoe is built with, to improve your torsional rigidity, stops the mid-area of the shoe from twisting. This performance-enhancing feature makes the shoe a great racing trainer for recreational runners while giving an excellent performance for a competitive racer.

Stability

Stability

The Rearfoot Gel keeps your foot stable as your heel makes an impact with the floor. The shape of the toe box keeps your foot in place while allowing room to not be overly form fitting. This racing trainer attenuates shock well and will help your stamina as you aggressively run toward that 5k finish line.

Drop

Drop

A 7mm drop with the Asics Gel Hyperspeed 5 improves the economy by being lightweight and gives you a low to the ground feel. You will have a great connection to the terrain you are running on compared to the previous standard drop of 10mm. The drop of a shoe can depend on the runner, but some are prone to believe the lower the drop the better protected you are from injury.

Bottom Line

The Asics Gel Hyperspeed 5 is a solid option for your high-speed racing needs. It offers all of the expected tops of the list needs you will have as a racer. A lower number in a drop to transition you into minimalist running, flexible enough to feel what’s going on with the ground beneath your feet, excellent breathability coming at you from all sides of the shoe. With synthetic mesh to keep you dry and Asics’ Magicsole technology ventilating air underneath your foot, you will not overheat in these trainers.

They will last you to the end of your workout and through the grind of your race without your mind ever wandering to the shoes that are on your feet. Added into these high-speed needs are the benefits of comfort to soften your impact in your stride with Asics’ Gel system in the heel and their perforated sockliner to limit your risk of injury and add even more breathability. Though this shoe may be rare to find these days, once you get the opportunity to snatch them up you will find that the Hyperspeed 5 is well worth your time and effort in what it allows you in your time on the course.